Sloping container bottom with drain

Abstract

The present invention relates to an easily drained bulk container bottom. The container bottom of the present invention has a planar bottom wall which slopes downward from a high region to an opposite, low region. The bottom wall slopes in one plane and surrounds a raised dome which is generally centrally located in the container bottom. The drainage opening is positioned adjacent the low region to facilitate complete drainage of the container. Fluids run off the raised dome and follow the downward slope of the planar bottom wall from the high region to the opposite, low region, and then out the drainage opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A one-piece bottom for a fluid container comprising: a bottom wall, the bottom wall being aligned to slope from a high region on one side thereof to a low, opposite region and having a generally planar wall portion which surrounds a generally centrally aligned raised dome formed on an inner surface of the bottom wall;   an outer edge portion surrounding the generally planar wall portion of the bottom wall and formed to extend upwardly therefrom; and   a drainage opening extending through the bottom wall adjacent the low region thereof.   
     
     
       2. The one-piece bottom of claim 1 wherein the outer edge portion defines a generally rectangular shape and the high region and the low region are at opposite corners of the rectangular shape. 
     
     
       3. The one-piece bottom of claim 1 wherein the bottom wall has a formed sump adjacent the low region, and wherein the drainage opening is positioned within the sump. 
     
     
       4. The one-piece bottom of claim 1 wherein the outer edge portion has a generally rectangular shape and the high region and the low region are at opposite corners of the generally rectangular shape. 
     
     
       5. The one-piece bottom of claim 1 wherein the outer edge curves upwardly from the generally planar wall portion of the bottom wall. 
     
     
       6. The one-piece bottom of claim 6 wherein the outer edge portion has an upward curve having a radius of about 1 to 3 inches. 
     
     
       7. The one-piece bottom of claim 1 wherein the high region is about 1/2 to 2 inches higher than the low region. 
     
     
       8. The one-piece bottom of claim 1 wherein the sump has a depth of about 1/8 to 1/2 of an inch. 
     
     
       9. The one-piece bottom of claim 1 wherein the raised dome has a height of about 1/4 to 2 inches. 
     
     
       10. The one-piece bottom of claim 1 wherein the one-piece bottom is formed of a metallic material. 
     
     
       11. The one piece bottom of claim 10 wherein the metallic material is stainless steel, carbon steel, or aluminum. 
     
     
       12. The one-piece bottom of claim I wherein the raised dome portion has an outer peripheral edge defining an outer circumference, which is spaced apart from the outer edge portion by a distance of at least approximately the radius of the outer circumference of the raised dome portion. 
     
     
       13. The one-piece bottom of claim 1 wherein the raised dome portion has a circular outer peripheral edge with a diameter of about 24 inches. 
     
     
       14. A one-piece bottom for a fluid container comprising: a bottom wall, the bottom wall being aligned to slope from a high region on one side thereof to a low, opposite region and having a planar wall portion which surrounds a generally centrally aligned raised dome formed on an inner surface of the bottom wall;   an outer edge portion surrounding the planar wall portion and formed to extend upwardly therefrom;   a sump formed adjacent the low region of the bottom wall; and a drainage opening positioned within the sump extending through the bottom wall adjacent the low region thereof, wherein the drainage opening is positioned in a corner of the sump, the corner located adjacent the outer edge of the container bottom.   
     
     
       15. A method for forming a one-piece bottom for a fluid container, the method comprising: providing a sheet of material;   forming the sheet of material to define an upwardly extending outer edge;   forming the sheet material to provide a raised generally central dome portion surrounded by a generally planar portion, the planar portion sloping from a high region adjacent a first area of the outer edge to a low region adjacent a second opposite area of the outer edge; and   providing a drainage opening adjacent the low region of the generally planar portion.   
     
     
       16. The method of claim 15 wherein the outer edge portion is formed in a generally rectangular shape and the high region and the low region are defined at opposite corners of the rectangular shape. 
     
     
       17. The method of claim 16 further comprising: forming a sump adjacent the low region; and   positioning the drainage opening within the sump.   
     
     
       18. The method of claim 15 wherein the high region is defined as about 1/2 to 1 inch higher than the low region. 
     
     
       19. The method of claim 15 wherein the outer edge portion is formed to have an upward curve having a radius of about 1 to 3 inches. 
     
     
       20. The method of claim 15 wherein the sump has a depth of about 1/8 to 1/2 inch. 
     
     
       21. The method of claim 15 wherein the raised dome has a height of in the range of about 1/4 inch to 2 inches. 
     
     
       22. The method of claim 15 wherein the one-piece container bottom is formed from a metallic material. 
     
     
       23. The method of claim 22 wherein the metallic material is stainless steel, carbon steel, or aluminum. 
     
     
       24. A method for forming a one-piece bottom for a fluid container, the method comprising: providing a sheet of material;   forming the sheet of material to define an upwardly extending outer edge;   forming the sheet of material to provide a raised generally central dome portion surrounded by a generally planar portion, the planar portion sloping from a high region adjacent a first area of the outer edge to a low region adjacent a second opposite are of the outer edge, wherein the outer edge portion is formed in a generally rectangular shape and the high region and the low region are defined at opposite corners of the rectangular shape;   forming a sump adjacent the low region;   providing a drainage opening adjacent the low region of the generally planar portion; and   positioning the drainage opening within a corner of the sump, the corner located adjacent to the outer edge of the container bottom.